Bristol Fourth of July Parade

Bristol's Fourth of July parade, the Military, Civic, and Firemen's Parade, steps off at 10:30 a.m. on July 4 at the corner of Chestnut Street and Hope Street (Route 114) and ends on High Street at State Street. It is the centrepiece of what the Bristol Fourth of July Committee calls America's oldest continuous Fourth of July celebration, held since 1785, and the committee says it draws more than 200,000 spectators.

The Route

The parade follows the painted red, white and blue centre line of Hope Street and High Street. It begins at Chestnut Street and Hope Street, runs through downtown Bristol, and finishes on High Street at the corner of State Street. Marching bands, military units, police and fire departments, community groups and floats come from across the country. The committee publishes a route map on its parade page and live-streams the parade.

Road Closures and Parking

The committee lists these closures for parade day:

• From 7 a.m.: Chestnut Street, Naomi Street and Sherry Avenue.
• From 8 a.m.: Hope Street and High Street (Route 114), including Poppasquash Road.
• The night before: a parking ban takes effect along the parade route.

Large public lots are near Hope and Gooding Streets, but the committee warns that parking is limited and fills quickly. If you park on a residential street, do not block driveways.

What It Means for Colt State Park

Colt State Park's address is Hope Street (Route 114), and the committee's closures include Poppasquash Road, which runs along the park's east side on DEM's map. The committee also names Colt State Park as a gathering area for some parade units that morning. If you plan a July 4 picnic at Colt, arrive before the 8 a.m. closures or expect detours, and remember the park closes at sunset. Colt's lots are free and picnic tables need a $5 permit in season; see parking and picnic areas.

Rules for Spectators

• No blankets, couches, towels or chairs may be placed along the route before 5 a.m.
• No overnight camping on the route.
• No roping off or blocking sections of the route.
• No bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades or skates during the parade.

Emergency medical crews are stationed along the route.

A Celebration That Lasts Weeks

The celebration begins every year on Flag Day, June 14, and runs for weeks, according to the committee: free outdoor concerts at Independence Park, Orange Crate Derby races, a firefighters' muster, the Fourth of July Ball and the Patriotic Exercises. The night of fireworks over Bristol Harbor is part of it. Independence Park is also the south end of the East Bay Bike Path.

Why Bristol, Why 1785

The committee traces the celebration to 1785, when Reverend Henry Wight of the First Congregational Church, a Revolutionary War veteran, founded the official celebration and patriotic exercises. RI DEM's history of Colt State Park makes the same point: Bristol has held the celebration every year since 1785. The town itself dates to 1680, was part of Massachusetts until 1747, and was bombarded by a British squadron led by HMS Rose on October 7, 1775, then raided by about 500 British troops on May 25, 1778.

Taking Part

Groups that want to march or enter a float apply to the committee; float applications postmarked after May 1 may not be accepted, every participant signs a waiver, and participants report by 9 a.m. The committee lists parade formation at Mt Hope High School, 199 Chestnut Street; each unit's packet assigns its gathering area, either Colt State Park or the high school. Questions go to info@july4thbristolri.com.

Make a Day of It

The Herreshoff Marine Museum opens until 1 p.m. on Independence Day, and Linden Place sits on Hope Street in the centre of town. Blithewold is closed on July 4. See things to do in Bristol.